Recently adding the title of one of the hottest festivals of 2018 to its list of accolades, the first and some say finest festival to celebrate Americana music returns to Easton Farm Park this week.
“It’s an incredible line-up and I don’t know how I do it,” laughs Maverick Festival founder Paul Spencer.
“We’ve a special feature on Hawaii and its influence on country music with music from BJ Cole playing traditional slack guitar, Hank Wangford on his travels with the Paniolos (The Hawaiian Cowboys), plus authentic music and hula from Hawaiian artist Kehau Kahananui.”
This year’s programme includes songwriters in the round sessions presented by the AMA UK. Each one will be led by a US artist including Bonnie Bishop with Ags Connolly and Robbie Cavanagh, Anna Tivel with Kate Ellis and James Riley and Jeffrey Martin with Roasanne Reid and Steve Grozier.
There’s also a tribute to legendary American singer Johnny Case, celebrating 50 years since the release of the Folsom Prison Blues album. It’ll be led by fellow Arkansas musician Arkansas Dave with contributions from Amy McCarley, Pepe Belmonte, Dan Webster, Amerlia White and many more.
Asking Paul to pick favourites is hard. However...
“Cordovas are an unbelievably great young band from Nashville who sound like the Band and the Grateful Dead rolled into one. Southern Avenue channel the heart and soul of Memphis in an exciting new sound that pays tribute to the city’s illustrious history. Plus Hans Chew, with a terrific ragtime piano and kick-ass band by his side.”
Other acts from both sides of the Atlantic include Jonathan Byrd, festival favourites The Danberrys, Leeroy Stagger, The Local Honeys and Hillfolk Noir.
Maverick Festival runs July 6-8 at Easton Farm Park, Easton, Woodbridge; with an official after-party Sunday night at the Easton White Horse featuring guests like The Weeping Willows, Lachlan Bryan, Imogen Clarke and Terra Lightfoot. More details at www.maverickfestival.co.uk
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